Cleaning Out the Kids' Closets? Teen Collecting Gently Used Clothing

After a , your kids' closets may be overflowing with new back-to-school items. If you're looking to make a little space and help out Bay area youth in need, a local teen could use your support.

Ellen Kromer, 17, is  reaching out to people across the Bay area to help her collect items such as gently used clothing and basic toiletries for Jesus for Juveniles, a nonprofit organization that supports incarcerated and newly released juvenile offenders to help them start over.

Ellen, a Steinbrenner High student, is collecting the items as part of an . He mother, Janet Kromer is a volunteer with the organization, mentoring youth at the Pasco Girls Academy in Land O' Lakes.

owner Andy Walton got on board right away and offered to be a donation site when he heard about Ellen's project.

"We always try to support efforts like this. It’s great when someone has an idea to help others and actually executes the idea into action," Walton said.

There is a box at the ice cream shop where donors can drop off items during regular business hours.  In addition to clothing, Ellen also is collecting:

• Body wash
• Body lotion
• Body splash
• Lip balm/gloss
• Journals (no staples, no spirals)
• Pens
• Pocketbook calendars
• Packs of gum
• Skittles
• Starbursts
• Twix
• Eyeliner
• Mascara
• Eye shadow
• Devotionals
• Deodorant
• Nail polish
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Toothpaste
• Gift cards to McDonalds, Taco Bell and Burger King. (The gift cards will be used by JFJ ministries to provide meals for special occasions.)

"Any of these items would mean so much and could help these youth as they begin their journey into a changed life," Ellen said in a .

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